Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Sarah pov.

The house smelled like roasted vegetables and freshly baked bread, and the faint sound of laughter filled the air.

I was setting up the dining table when the doorbell rang. My friends had promised to come over for a small lunch, and even though I had planned everything carefully, I couldn't shake the nervous flutter in my stomach. Hosting anything felt like a big deal these days-I got tired so easily. But I missed my girls, and today felt like the perfect excuse to catch up.

"Coming!" I called out, adjusting a plate before hurrying to the door.

When I opened it, Tanya stood there with a big grin and an even bigger box wrapped in shiny paper. Behind her were Nina and Claire, both carrying smaller gift bags.

"Baby shower came early!" Tanya announced, stepping inside and kissing me on the cheek.

"Oh, come on," I said, laughing. "It's just lunch. No gifts necessary."

"Yeah, well, too late," Nina chimed in, holding up a bag decorated with tiny rattles and pacifiers. "This is happening whether you like it or not."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop smiling. These girls always knew how to make me feel loved.

The meal was simple but delicious. Roasted chicken, a hearty salad, warm bread-it was nothing fancy, but everyone seemed to enjoy it.

We sat around the table, talking and laughing like no time had passed since our last get-together.

"So," Claire started, leaning forward with a teasing smile, "any weird cravings yet? Pickles and ice cream? Peanut butter on pizza?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Nothing that crazy. Mostly fruit, honestly. Although there was this one night I really wanted mustard on crackers."

"Mustard?" Tanya asked, making a face. "That's... different."

horrified," I said, grinning. "But he brought

shifted to their own parenting stories. Tanya, who had two toddlers, shared a hilarious tale about her three-year-old hiding her car keys

Claire, the most experienced

have an opinion about

soak in every word. It felt good to hear their stories and know I wasn't

stood in the dining room, looking at the pile of gifts

and wiping down the table. As I worked, my mind

changes were obvious-my growing belly, the

the time, meeting up with friends for coffee or shopping. But now, my energy was limited, and our

that the distance would strain our relationships. But today reminded me how strong

to leave the house or if I spent half the conversation

I stacked the dishes in the sink, I realized how lucky I was to have people like them in my

called

evening, after I'd finished tidying up and was lounging on the couch with a glass of water, Richard walked in. He had his hands behind

you up to?" I asked, narrowing my

your eyes," he

"Why?"

"Just do it."

played along, shutting my eyes and holding out my hands. I heard the rustle of paper and felt something light

can open them

I saw a folded piece of paper resting on top of a notebook. I looked up at Richard,

"What's this?"

it," he said, sitting

started reading. It was a letter, written in

Dear Baby, it began.